Welcome to Centrepiece Contemporary Jewellery

TOM ASQUITH

TOM ASQUITH

Coming from a family of creatives Tom grew up in West Yorkshire and always had an interest in art, he was encouraged to sketch and make things since from a young age. After completing his A levels he decided to commit full time to art and design and undertook a foundation diploma at Batley art school where he focused his efforts on 3D dimensional sculpting and model making. He started metalworking 10 years ago, focusing on Jewellery and Silversmithing in his final year at the University of Wolverhampton where he graduated in 2009 with a BA in 3D design and applied arts. Tom then went on to undertake a year long postgraduate programme at the prestigious Bishopsland workshops just outside Reading. It was here that he built on and developed on the techniques he learnt at university through the help of technicians and tutors and took part in masterclasses with some the country’s finest silversmiths and jewellers including Rod Kelly, Malcolm Appleby and Jacqueline Mina. After leaving the Bishopsland workshop in 2011 Tom then moved to Birmingham and participated in the Design Space programme, funded by the council the provided free workshop space for up to 20 participants and intense business training on everything from selling techniques and marketing to writing business plans, whilst there he further extended his skills and techniques this time mainly under self development all the while improving his business acumen through the training provided.

Since leaving the programme Tom set up his workshop in 2013 in Birminghams historical Jewellery Quarter where he continues to work and has since won awards and bursarys from renowned organisations including The Silver Society and The Goldsmiths Company. He sells his work online, at retail and trade shows as well as working to commission.

Drawing inspiration from large spectrum of subjects including cell structures, historical military emblems, regalia and architectural forms that have both gothic and celtic influences, Tom produces ranges of functional silverware and jewellery that explores pattern, line, repetition and geometry and executed with precision and attention to detail. By exploring the application of surface decoration Tom hand makes each piece in his workshop using a variety of techniques such as engraving, saw piercing and chasing adding gemstones and plating to create subtle hints of colour and create focal points for the eye.